Motorists stopped at a red light will be prohibited from turning right onto El Camino Real from Ortega Highway in the mornings and afternoons while San Juan Elementary School is in session.

The city will install a sign instructing drivers not to turn right on red between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on school days. School begins Sept. 4.

The restriction comes amid concern from school officials about the safety of children and parents who walk to the school at 31642 El Camino Real, two blocks from the heart of downtown.

San Juan Principal Silvia Pule met with City Hall and police services employees to discuss concerns about westbound vehicles turning right onto El Camino Real without yielding to pedestrians crossing Ortega Highway in the east crosswalk at the four-way signalized intersection.

The sign, which will cost $200, was approved Aug. 5.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM TO CELEBRATE SATURDAY

An organization that helps children and families with low income in San Juan Capistrano will host a ceremony on Saturday to celebrate its summer programs.

About 600 children participated in CREER programs this summer. They’re “very excited to share with you their master pieces and exciting performances,” a news release states.

The event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Historic Town Center Park, 31852 El Camino Real.

APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR EMERGENCY TRAINING CLASS

If you’d like to be better prepared for an emergency, you can participate in San Juan Capistrano’s Community Emergency Response Team program.

The course is free for San Juan Capistrano residents and $25 for nonresidents. Seating is limited to 30 people. Classes are from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. one Saturday.

To apply or for more information, contact the city’s emergency services manager, Michael Cantor, at 949-234-4565 or mcantor@sanjuancapistrano.org.

ASSISTANT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR HIRED

A man who worked for the Santa Ana for 28 years is now second-in-command of the development department at San Juan Capistrano City Hall.

Sergio Klotz began this month as assistant development services director. He replaces Bill Ramsey, who retired in May after 24 years.

Klotz will manage the city’s planning division and help lead the development department with Charlie View, who started in December as the development services director. Klotz also will lead the city’s historical preservation program. He’ll be paid $127,723 annually.

NEW STORAGE CENTER INCLUDES HISTORICAL PLAQUE

A new storage facility recently opened in San Juan Capistrano that includes a plaque honoring Don Juan Forster.

The 32-by-40-inch plaque of polished black granite features historical photos of the land and a description of its history. The plaque also features a photo of Don Juan Forster, whose land holdings included the Valle Road location. The Cultural Heritage Commission worked with developers to design the plaque.

A-1 President and CEO Brian Caster wrote in a news release that the company “wanted to add value to the San Juan Capistrano neighborhood.”

“We’re excited to be a part of the community,” Caster said.

For more information, call 949-491-1590.

ANIMAL RESCUE GROUP CELEBRATES DONATION

A realtor recently gave The Ark of San Juan $600.

Mary Lou Adame-Martinez, a realtor with Century 21 in Mission Viejo, donated the money to the animal rescue group at the request of her client Robert McKasson. Adame-Martinez donates a percentage of her commission for every property she sells to the charity of her client’s choosing.

The Ark will use the money to pay for medical care, food and other supplies and expenses for stray and abandoned animals in San Juan Capistrano. The group monitors OC Animal Care and saves San Juan Capistrano animals that are scheduled to be euthanized.

City Hall supports the nonprofit organization but doesn’t provide money. Donations like the one from Adame-Martinez are the group’s lifeline.

The Ark doesn’t have a facility. Instead, the group relies on volunteers who serve as foster families for animals looking for forever homes.

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